The Reality Show

Reality television emerged in the 1990s to compete in the cut-throat market of viewer attraction. In this genre, normal people are placed in situations of extreme stress as they pursue incredible amounts of prize money. Contestants are eliminated one by one. These shows are criticized for exploiting, rigging the results and unfairly humiliating ordinary people. 

This series portrays a totally fictional contest where young women who have overcome hardships seek to be  chosen as “The Whole Package” by a handsome judge and win the million-dollar prize.

The Whole Package is a classy reality show centered on the woman who overcame hardship and is most worthy of million-dollar prize money. One of the contestants, Carrie Carnegie, an emotionally distant socialite, doesn’t believe she’ll give into the catty behavior of a reality show contestant. Despite the show's altruistic premise, Carrie is cruelly manipulated into performing for the crowd. She realizes this manipulation isn't new -- she's been shoved one way or another most of her life; her existence feels like a puppet on strings. Taunting her is the money she desperately needs and the strong affection she feels for the show's handsome judge. How can she keep her head above it all when the longer she’s on the show, the more she realizes she’s morphed into a Reality TV Star. 

Carrie Carnegie is in a quandary; she wants to feel powerful, but her love for the reality show judge, Ethan, makes her wonder: Was any of her time on television real? Can she count on Ethan’s feelings being mutual? Especially now she has new opportunities at love everywhere she looks? Enlightened to see the manipulation she’s lived in for years, Carrie realizes how much of her life is contrived by others. Her doubts and insecurities force her to face her own reality, which means tossing out the cold, impenetrable front she has hidden behind for so long. When the genuine, vulnerable yet shrewd Carrie emerges, where will her life lead? ​

Deep within those who succeed is a fight that cannot be lost. No matter how many times they fall. A professional dancer who combats scoliosis, Erin, hot-tempered at times, believes she can and will get up no matter how hard she is slammed down. But being utterly humiliated on a rigged television reality show – in front of her vast army of followers – she must find new strength to rise up against all odds.